How Did Haydn Develop Under The Patronage System

Throughout history, musicians and composers, who possess a unique musical talent, found themselves been employed under the patronage system and or freelance system. Up till the classical era, the only way musicians could support themselves is under the patronage system. They could be servants of aristocrats or servants of the church. Under the patronage system, musicians were employed as servants. As servants, they have very few rights; they cannot leave their jobs without asking for permission from the patrons. Being employed also comes with certain restrictions of the type of music that musician produced. The musicians produce have to produce music to the employer¡¯s liking. Haydn was not free in the kind of music he would create. Joseph Haydn, a well known classical era composer, spends most of
Haydn spent large part of his career composing opera. Even though opera was not his most recognized work, he had to compose opera because his employer, Prince Esterhazy loved it. These opera pieces are not well known pieces by Haydn. These opera are not famous because Haydn¡¯s opera pieces are formulated pieces under a lot of restrictions. He had to write for specific singer hire by the opera company. These opera pieces also had to meet his employer¡¯s standards. Haydn had little freedom to experiment in his instrumental music. Haydn wrote hundreds of trios for violin, cello, and baryton. Haydn included the instrument baryton because that was the instrument that price Esterhazy likes to play. The music that Haydn wrote for baryton also had to be easy enough so that the price can play. Most musicians and